5 Tips for Choosing a Hospitality Business School to Attain a Hospitality Degree or Professional Culinary Arts Programme (ProfCap)

If you are considering a career in the hospitality industry, it is important to select an institution that is best suited to you, to attain your qualification. We’ve provided some tips on the questions to consider when selecting an institution.

1. Is the establishment dependable with an established reputation?

Do not be fooled – not all colleges, business schools and universities are created equal. You need a trusted name with an international reputation for excellence, along with a proven history showing student success in the hospitality industry.

• Who are the lecturers?
• What experience and qualifications do they have?
• Does the school have strong links and partnerships within the hospitality industry?

2. Does the institution equip you with the skills to be employable after graduation?

Visit the various schools, colleges and universities offering hospitality degrees and compare the facilities.

• What subjects are they teaching, and at what level?
• Are you getting a genuine business education?
• How innovative and up to date is the curriculum? Don’t forget to check out the qualifications of the faculty.
• Are there PhD’s and experts in their fields, or are they recently graduated students teaching from a book?

3. Does the institution foster a friendly, professional, nurturing campus environment?

• What facilities does the campus have? Good Wi-Fi, recreational space, private study areas, practical kitchens, up-to-date equipment, public restaurant, safe parking, access to faculty members when needed?
• Does the school provide meals, books, uniforms, laptops, and other items as part of their inclusive charges?
• Beware of hidden costs. Is the building just an office block, or a purpose-built educational campus?
• Is there an active Student Representative Council (SRC)?
• Are there fun and educational events?

4. Does the institution provide proper accreditation?

In South Africa, the Higher Education institution MUST register with the South African Department of Higher Education and Training DHET. Degrees must be CHE accredited, 3-year chef programs must be QCTO, SAQA accredited, and all other educational qualifications must be accredited and monitored by South African education authorities. Many of the international certifications are NOT recognised by the departments of education.

• DO NOT register with an institution unless they can show you evidence that they are properly registered with quality control councils and education authorities. These bodies exist to ensure excellence in education and to protect the consumer against fraudulent claims.

5. Do you have to source your own internships?

If internships are part of the studies, does the establishment have a proven record of placing students in suitable establishments in South Africa or overseas? Several hotel and chef schools claim to place in Switzerland, USA, UK, and other countries – be sure to check this! If an institution advises you to source your own internships, it is a red flag.